tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67362229405656396622024-03-13T12:51:20.758-07:00Everything PCAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03870627626475592479noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6736222940565639662.post-71414231512298659082016-09-10T21:39:00.001-07:002016-10-26T14:43:54.385-07:00HDD vs SSD<div style="text-align: center;">
<b> Which Is Better?</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
Is the Solid-State Drive actually better then the Hard Drive? In this blog, we will go over the pros and cons of each type of storage device for your PC.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>What Do They Do?</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The common storage drive is an essential part within your computer. All data is kept on the drive for either you or a program to access at a later time. From movies and music, to programs and common data files, all of it is stored on the storage drive. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b style="text-align: center;"> Hard Drive (HDD)</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b style="text-align: center;"><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The hard drive, or HDD, has been used as the main storage component for an extremely long time in the computer industry. <i>Hard drives are essentially metal platters with a magnetic coating. That coating stores your data, whether that data consists of weather reports from the last century, a high-definition copy of the Star Wars trilogy, or your digital music collection. A read/write head on an arm accesses the data while the platters are spinning in a hard drive enclosure. - <a href="http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2404258,00.asp" target="_blank">PCMAG</a>.com. </i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b> <u>Pros</u></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<ul>
<li>Low price - $0.05 per average gigabyte</li>
</ul>
<div>
<b> <u>Cons</u></b></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Large possibility for data loss</li>
<li>Slow transfer rate (50Mb/s - 120Mb/s average read/write speed)</li>
<li>Noisy</li>
<li>High heat</li>
<li>Moving components within (Will wear down over time)</li>
<li>Long warm-up time</li>
</ul>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Solid State Drive (SSD)</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The solid state drive, or SSD, is a new and rising addition for your computer. Just like the HDD, it is the main storage component in your computer. <i>Like a memory stick, there are no moving parts to an SSD. Rather, information is stored in microchips. Conversely, a hard disk drive uses a mechanical arm with a read/write head to move around and read information from the right location on a storage platter. This difference is what makes SSD so much faster. - <a href="http://www.storagereview.com/ssd_vs_hdd">http://www.storagereview.com/ssd_vs_hdd</a></i><br />
<br />
<br />
<b> <u> Pros</u></b><br />
<ul>
<li>Up to 15x faster than a standard HDD (200Mb/s - 550Mb/s average read/write speed)</li>
<li>No noise</li>
<li>Low heat</li>
<li>No moving components</li>
<li>Very little possibility for data loss</li>
<li>No warm-up required</li>
</ul>
<div>
<b><u>Cons</u></b></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Expensive - $0.22 per average gigabyte</li>
</ul>
<div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Which One is For You?</b></div>
<br /></div>
</div>
<div>
So there you have it! You now know the difference between the two main storage devices within computers today, but which one is for you? Well, if you plan to use your computer for things such as gaming or video editing, the SSD is more in your favor. Loading screens during gameplay are now cut down to about 10% of the time that it takes for an HDD to do the same, and the same goes</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03870627626475592479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6736222940565639662.post-32322162718759124702016-09-10T20:24:00.000-07:002016-10-26T14:45:03.134-07:00Ad Blocking<div dir="ltr">
Do you hate waiting for those annoying video ads to load before watching YouTube? How about those ads that you accidentally click when a website loads? Let's talk about that.<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<b>Blocking Those Annoying Ads!</b><br />
<b><br /></b></div>
<div dir="ltr">
Luckily, there isn't much work involved with this topic. There are a few types of ad blockers out there that work in a variety of ways, so we will go through the options.</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<b>Ad Block Plus: </b>This ad blocker is, by far, the most simple and easiest to use. This option works by using constantly updated ad filters to remove any ads that have no relevance to your search topic. You can go to there main website at adblockplus.org, or you can visit your browser's web store and download it from there. For both options, one-click to install and you're browsing ad free. This blocker also allows you to be able to tweak things such as the type of ad filters used and more. So far, this type of blocker only works with some of our most popular browser's such as Google Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer, and Opera. (Microsoft Edge is not supported)<br />
<b>Flash Control: </b>This ad blocker operates with a more brutal force than Ad Block Plus. Instead of filtering out ads from your internet browsing, it blocks all flash player activities, including ones that may be necessary for the site. Due to its aggressiveness, this type of ad blocking is only recommended for experienced users.</div>
<div dir="ltr">
So there you have it! The two most popular types of ad blocking are at your freedom. You can finally take control and surf the internet freely! As always, if you have any questions, you can reach us by email at SoFloTechnology@gmail.com or visit our Contact Page for more information.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03870627626475592479noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6736222940565639662.post-37041809332904320982016-05-18T05:35:00.001-07:002016-05-18T05:35:41.038-07:00Basics of Building a Computer (Part 8)<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Power Supply Unit</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b> </b> The final component for your computer is your Power Supply Unit or PSU. This unit will be responsible for distributing all of the power to each individual component within your PC. For an average PC user, your power supply will be a lot more simple than the advanced power supplies for gaming or strenuous use computers. Each PSU is set to distribute a certain amount of wattage through it and to your components. Some are eco-friendly with smart power usage while others are meant for constant and consistent current for gamers and heavy multi-taskers. The best and easiest way to choose your power supply is through a PSU calculator. Here are some calculator websites that I recommend. Just enter the type and specs of each of your components and the calculator will do the rest.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
http://outervision.com/power-supply-calculator<br />
<br />
http://www.coolermaster.com/power-supply-calculator/<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Terms To Be Aware Of</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Modular: This means that the cables are not permanently attached to it and can be disconnected. Ex. My PSU is Fully Modular, meaning all of the cables can be disconnected. PSUs are either Fully Modular, Modular (Semi-modular), or not modular. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Titanium Certified: This only determines the all around quality of the PSU. As you go higher, they become better on energy savings, performance, reliability, compatibility, and more. For gamers, you are going to want a good quality PSU, so decide based on that.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03870627626475592479noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6736222940565639662.post-4137315527154747782016-05-17T22:39:00.000-07:002016-05-18T05:46:58.660-07:00Basics of Building a Computer (Part 7)<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Motherboard</span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> After you choose your processor, you can move onto the motherboard. Go back and look at the specs of your chosen processor. You will need the name/number of the type of port that it uses. This is the port that must be on your chosen motherboard so that it will fit. ex. The newer model AMD processors use a port called AM3(+). The plus just adds additional functionality, especially for gamers, but you can match up a + model port with a non + model CPU and vice versa without a problem as long as the numbers/letters before the + are the same. When researching motherboards, you will need to know what brands are the most reliable and best suited for what you wish to use it for. Some of the top brands include ASUS, Gigabyte, MSI, ASRock, and EVGA. For gamers, I would suggest you go with ASUS, MSI, Gigabyte, or EVGA. Be sure to check out the reviews and compare before purchasing.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> Now, looking back at the paragraph on ram cards, we will use the specs on the ram to help shape our motherboard search. Which DDR ram did you choose? What was its clock speed? When looking at motherboards, it will tell you what type of ram it supports and how fast it can run the cards. Now before you think the motherboard can increase your ram cards clocked speed (over-clock), that is not generally true. If your ram cards say that they run at 2400MHz, and your motherboard says 2800MHz, it just means that it can support any card up to the speed. Your ram cards will still work of course. Now lets say that your ram cards run at 1800MHz and your motherboard can only support up to 1600MHz, your ram cards will still work here as well .The motherboard will just run the ram cards slower than what they are capable of. It won't hurt the cards at all. Be sure to double check the type of ram you use so you are sure that it will fit in your motherboard.</span><br />
<div style="font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> Next, you must look at what type of PCI port your graphics card uses (Explained in part 4). Some graphics cards will use PCI-Express x 16 while others may use the standard PCI. Choose how many PCI and what type you will need for your PC. </span></div>
<div style="font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> Next is deciding the type of ports you wish to have on the rear of your motherboard. These ports will sit flush with the rear of your PC case so you can plug in all of your components. Ex. mouse, keyboard, monitor, etc. So choose how many USB ports and such that you wish to have on it. Every motherboard will have USB port(s), an Ethernet port (For wired internet), an auxiliary port (For audio), and other ports for added uses. Some motherboards will also come with an integrated graphics card, so they will have a port to connect your monitor too, either VGA or DVI. Only some motherboards have integrated graphics and I only recommend using it for extremely lenient work. Multiple monitors, heavy multi-tasking, and gaming will not work, if at the very least not well, with the integrated graphics. </span></div>
<div style="color: black; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03870627626475592479noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6736222940565639662.post-70582706252398760972016-05-17T21:03:00.002-07:002016-05-18T05:44:03.360-07:00Basics of Building a Computer (Part 6)<div style="text-align: center;">
<b> CPU Coolers</b></div>
<br />
After you've chosen your processor, you must also pick a cooling fan for it. Don't get these confused with your case fans as they are quite different from each other. These fans sit right on top of the processor to keep it nice and cool while you use your PC. Luckily, it is pretty easy to choose one. Some fans will come with adapters to work with both AMD and Intel processors, but not all, so choose carefully. If you are not certain of the type of fan you should choose, decide based on what your PC is for. If your processor was chosen for gaming purposes, choose a fan with high cfm and a lot of surface area for adequate heat distribution from the CPU. You will notice that some fans may not have a big base with a lot of surface area, which is completely fine as some fans may utilize other ways to distribute the heat, such as multiple cooling pipes or larger fans.<br />
There is another way to cool your CPU if you really want to make sure that your processor never over-heats during heavy gaming or intense use. Some PC users use a water cooler instead of a fan. These tend to be a lot more expensive than your typical fan, but you will get more bang for your buck. A water cooler (shown below), utilizes water lines to transport cooled water from one or two case fans to the surface of your CPU. The fluid within these lines is generally water, but some really advanced coolers will use a special, easily cooled liquid instead. This is almost never necessary. Water does such a fantastic job that it is not needed.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Water Cooler<br />
<br />
<br />
<img src="http://cdn.eteknix.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/h75_cover.png" height="191" width="320" /><br />
<br />
<br />
Fan Cooler<br />
<br />
<br />
<img src="http://content.hwigroup.net/images/articles/cpu-cooler-roundup-2014-intro.jpg" height="164" width="320" />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03870627626475592479noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6736222940565639662.post-61425296123302891522016-05-17T20:26:00.003-07:002016-05-17T21:59:03.979-07:00Basics of Building a Computer (Part 5)<div style="text-align: left;">
<b> Central Processing Unit</b></div>
<br />
The central processing unit, or CPU, is what processes everything in your computer. Each motherboard uses either an <a href="http://www.amd.com/en-us" target="_blank">AMD</a> or an <a href="http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/homepage.html" target="_blank">Intel</a> processor, neither of which will fit the opposite ports, so choose carefully. For the money savers, go with AMD. AMD is much cheaper than Intel and in most cases, tends to be much faster than Intel, compared to its opposing processor through Intel. If you don't care about money and wish to have a glitch free PC, go with Intel. Intel is the most simple, straight forward, and most reliable processor out there. Intel processors produce much less heat than AMD, so choosing a processor fan or cooler is much easier for Intel. You can check out each website link provided to browse new processors. For advanced gamers, choose a processor that has at least 4 cores and will run at a speed of atleast 3.0GHz. For expert gamers, choose a processor with 8 cores and a clock speed of atleast 4.0GHz. For standard use, a dual-core processor will do just fine with a speed of 2.0GHz and higher to support new operating systems. Ex. My PC utilizes an 8 core, AMD processor with a clock speed of 4.3GHz for extremely heavy multi-tasking and gaming.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<img src="http://cdn2.itpro.co.uk/sites/itpro/files/intel_vs_amd.jpg" height="188" width="320" /><br />
<br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03870627626475592479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6736222940565639662.post-80973994816990737132016-05-17T20:01:00.001-07:002016-05-17T21:59:02.450-07:00Basics of Building a Computer (Part 4)<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>PCI Expansion Slots</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
PCI expansion slots do just as you may think, they expand your motherboard, adding extra ports, fans, coolers, SSDs, and more. Most people will use these expansion slots to add additional ports, such as USB. If you choose to make use of this function, there are only a few things to look out for; PCI vs PCI-Express. A standard PCI card uses a long port (Called a PCI Slot, shown below) to pop into the motherboard. When using a PCI-Express card, you will notice that the port is much shorter than the standard, therefore you must choose based on the type of port in your motherboard. If your part uses a PCI-Express x 16, you must also keep an eye out for a motherboard that has this port, as it is not used as often as a standard PCI port. This port is generally designed for your graphics cards, however, some companies do utilize it for other things as well.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0c/PCI_und_PCIe_Slots.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0c/PCI_und_PCIe_Slots.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
If you do decide to add additional parts via PCI, keep in mind that these very same ports are also the same ports that are used by your graphics card. So when choosing your motherboard (Explained in Part 7), keep in mind how many PCI or PCI-Express ports you will need. </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03870627626475592479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6736222940565639662.post-20208407594961147682016-05-01T19:45:00.001-07:002016-05-20T18:40:57.305-07:00Basics of Building a Computer (Part 3) <b> Graphics Processing Unit </b><br />
<b><br /></b>
The graphics processing unit, aka. graphics card or GPU, is what translates the visuals or graphics from your PC to an external viewing device or a monitor. Graphics cards come in all types of speeds, sizes, colors, and more. When choosing your graphics card, it's important to decide based on what you wish to use your computer for. For intense gamers, choose a graphics card of at least 4gb of memory and a clock speed of atleast 1000MHz. For average users, you will not need more than 1gb of memory and a clock speed of 600MHz or less. Average gamers fall right in the middle of those specs.<br />
You must also be sure that you choose the correct GPU based on what type of cables or monitors you wish to connect to it and how many. If you are unsure of how that works, you can look up pictures of how a graphics cards looks when it's plugged into your motherboard. One side of the graphics card has ports which line up with the outside of your PC case, making it appear as all one, single motherboard component with the ports on the rear of the case. So be sure that you choose the rights ports (For your chosen monitors) and the correct amount.<br />
<br />
DVI: HD monitor video cable (No audio, best for gaming and all-around HD monitor performance)<br />
VGA: lower quality monitor video cables (No audio)<br />
HDMI: HD quality monitor or TV video cable (Carries audio, not generally the most commonly used for gaming, but it still does just as well as DVI))<br />
DisplayPort: High quality monitor video port (No audio)<br />
<br />
GPU RAM Types:<br />
<br />
DDR2 - Outdated<br />
DDR3 - Still in use, not as common as DDR5<br />
DDR5 - *Newest<br />
<br />
Be sure to check that the graphics card will fit inside of your chosen case as some graphics cards can be quite large.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03870627626475592479noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6736222940565639662.post-48338763319139764612016-05-01T19:33:00.001-07:002016-05-20T18:44:40.482-07:00Basics of Building a Computer (Part 2)<div dir="ltr">
<b>Case Fans</b><br />
<b><br /></b></div>
<div dir="ltr">
Choosing your case fans is a pretty simple task. There are many different types of fans, some of which include LED, high airflow, silent, plastic, carbon fiber, and much more. For standard, full-sized cases, you will choose between 120mm and 140mm fans. Looking in your case manual or specifications will let you know what size fans will fit in your case and where. Be sure to check out the reviews on the fans you choose so you are sure that the fan will be of adequate quality and airflow. For high heat, gaming computers, you want to be sure that the fan airflow is at least 50cfm (cubic feet per minute).<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<b> RAM</b><br />
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr">
RAM, aka. memory, is a must-have for all computers. When choosing your ram type, be sure that it matches the recommended speeds for the programs you wish to run on your new computer and for how you plan to use it. If you plan to use you computer for gaming purposes, choose a set of *ram cards* with a minimum of 8gb of memory and a clocked speed of over 1600MHz. For pro gamers, choose a set that is at least 16gb of memory and a clocked speed of over 2200MHz. For personal use, 4gb of memory will do just fine as most computers sold today use that amount by default. A clock speed of 1600MHz and less will do just fine as most of your programs will not require an intense ram speed.</div>
<div dir="ltr">
*RAM cards usually come in sets of two, three, or four and will split up the resources by distributing the memory between each card, adding it all together when each card is inserted. Ex. A pair of 16gb ram cards, each containing 8gb of memory.<br />
Another thing to be on the look out for when choosing your ram cards is the type of ram you will use. As of today, most of the computers still in action will either use DDR2, DDR3, or DDR4. DDR4 is the most recent ram design released and also the fastest. I myself chose DDR3 ram for my PC instead of the new, expensive DDR4. The speeds on DDR3 ram cards can usually run new, intense games and software of all kinds without a hitch.<br />
DDR4: For the pro gamers and software developers<br />
DDR3 For the advanced gamers and heavy <u>multitasking</u><br />
DDR2: Designed for the pre windows 7 computers (Not recommended)</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr">
Some popular brands include Kingston, Crucial, Corsair, G.Skill, and more.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03870627626475592479noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6736222940565639662.post-38235205853339872016-04-20T07:09:00.002-07:002016-05-17T21:58:56.800-07:00Basics of Building a Computer (Part 1) <b> Building a PC</b><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So you want to know how to build your own PC? Well you are in the right place. This blog will specify the need-to-knows when building your own PC. Let's get started.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Picking Your Parts</b></span></div>
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
The first step in building your own PC is picking out the correct parts for what you are attempting to achieve with this new computer. Will you be using it for gaming, personal multitasking, or business? You must decide beforehand what you plan to use it for as the parts that you pick out must be able to support such tasks. For this blog, I will be focusing more on the gaming aspect as this will be able to support all other functions as well due to the better hardware. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b> PC Case</b></div>
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
Picking your case is a very important part of this process. You must be sure that the dimensions specified by the case will also fit the other components that you will choose later on. If you plan on building a high end computer, you will need a full sized case to fit a full sized motherboard and provide adequate airflow. If you plan on using this PC for lesser, average use, then you will be able to get by with a <u>micro-atx (small sized)</u> case if you choose a micro sized motherboard. </div>
<div>
After you've decided which type you will be using, you must now look at the airflow ability in the case. Most cases will come with a few fans already installed, however if this PC will be used for strenuous activities, such as gaming, you will require a higher airflow. For this type, you must have intake fan(s) on the front of your case as well as exhaust fan(s) on the rear. Extra fans can be purchased at online stores such as Amazon. Some cases also provide extra placement for fans on the top as well as the bottom for better airflow. If you decide to use these extra fans, remember that heat rises, so the exhaust fans must be on the top with the intake on the bottom. This can tend to cause some troubles with dust so be sure you purchase dust filters for your intake fans. </div>
<div>
And lastly, pick a good case. You can will encounter some pretty sweet looking cases as well as the more subtle cases. You will own this PC for a while so choose wisely as to what type of look you want it to have.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<u>Picking Your Parts</u> is continued on next blog.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03870627626475592479noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6736222940565639662.post-34755894805645540522016-02-26T07:34:00.001-08:002016-02-28T18:34:26.475-08:00Malware vs Viruses <br />
<div>
<b> What's The Difference Between Malware and Viruses?</b><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Malware</b> (malicious software), describes a type of coding designed to infiltrate your PC and make it do things that you do not wish, such as send mass emails, install programs, steal your information, etc. It comes in the form of a program, giving commands and spreading malicious code into your computer. The code that is spread is called a <b>Virus</b><i>, a piece of code that is capable of copying itself and typically has a detrimental effect, such as corrupting the system or destroying data.</i> The most common of viruses today are designed to steal your information, banking, personal, social, etc.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>How Do They Work?</b></div>
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
When malware is installed onto your computer, it acts as the boss, giving commands to his "workers" or viruses to spread and infect. One example of a common piece of malware is Search Protect by Conduit. This program is not originally designed to be malware, however, when the program is downloaded/installed, it carries infected software with it, indirectly infecting your computer.</div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>How Can I Prevent It?</b></div>
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
The easiest way to protect yourself from such occurrences is to arm your computer with an antivirus. You don't need anything special, an internet security and basic virus protection is good enough to prevent 95% of these attacks. Unfortunately, the remaining 5% is almost impossible to stop as these include highly advanced viruses that even the best antiviruses will have trouble detecting, blocking, or even removing. These viruses are designed to evolve and learn from its experiences so as to become more and more lethal with each attack. The good news? You will most likely never encounter such a virus as these are usually reserved for high-end hacking with large amounts of money involved.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>How Do I know What Antivirus Is The Best For Me?</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
Every month, sites such as <a href="http://www.pcmag.com/" target="_blank">PC MAG</a> and <a href="http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/" target="_blank">PC Advisor</a>, release diagnostic reports to let you know which antiviruses score the best in virus detection and removal. Also, you can check out my previous blog to find the best free antiviruses of 2016.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03870627626475592479noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6736222940565639662.post-68027067984698895142016-02-06T21:16:00.001-08:002016-02-19T06:47:41.327-08:00Viruses! Good day everyone! This week's blog will be all about detecting and removing viruses. So let's get started.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b> Do You Have A Virus?</b></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
One day you decide to go browsing on the internet like you would normally do. However, this time you did something different. You click on a bad link, accidentally click on an ad, download a bad program, etc. Now bam! Your computer is acting up, throwing random popups, programs, and anything out on your computer to take it over. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Contracting a virus on your computer can be very easy to do. Sometimes, it happens even without your knowledge and the virus snoops around on your computer unnoticed, looking for information to steal, while other times, it is very clear that you have a virus due to all of the annoying popups and programs that have started up. So what should you do? Let's talk about that.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Removing a Virus</b><br />
<b><br /></b> Now you have the task of dealing with those annoying viruses on your PC, but how? The most simple and efficient way is to use an antivirus of course, but not yet. First, let's do some snooping for ourselves to see what we encounter on your computer. Go ahead and open up your list of programs on your PC. Click on the Windows icon and search "Control Panel". Click on Programs. Go ahead and take a look at your programs and see if there is anything you don't recognize. Some of the more common viruses that tend to pop up on people's computer usually revolve around some type of search tool, auto driver tool, or a fake antivirus. One example is <u>Search Protect</u> by Conduit. This is one very nasty piece of malware which spreads a number of infiltrating codes, a.k.a. a virus. It is very common and infiltrates your system in order to steal info while slowing down your PC. Please keep in mind that if you are not sure what to remove in fear of removing something important, you can skip this step and the antivirus will deal with those for you.<br />
Before you install any type of antivirus program, you must be sure that there are no other antivirus programs installed. If there are more than one on your PC, you may encounter lagging problems and more. So uninstall all antiviruses before you install another.<br />
<br />
After you have weeded out those unwanted/unneeded programs, let's go ahead and choose the best antivirus for you. There are many different antiviruses out there for you to choose from, some require a payment while others that are completely free can do the same job just as well, if not better! So don't let the price tag fool you into thinking that they are better than those free antiviruses, the only benefits that generally come with the price tag are extras that don't have to do with virus removal. How do I find and pick a good antivirus? There is no need to do any internet scrounging because that's what I'm for! <span style="line-height: 107%;">Here
are a couple that I would recommend. </span><a href="http://www.pandasecurity.com/usa/homeusers/solutions/free-antivirus/" target="_blank"><span style="line-height: 107%;">Panda Free
Antivirus</span></a><span style="line-height: 107%;">, </span><a href="https://www.avast.com/en-us/index" target="_blank"><span style="line-height: 107%;">Avast</span></a><span style="line-height: 107%;">, </span><a href="http://www.avg.com/ww-en/free-antivirus-protection?ECID=ad:go:se:US-EN-XSite-Brand-Free-Search&gclid=CjwKEAiA_ra1BRDV-byb_aDqpQoSJAA-ofB9W-mW1rbtIFvtGYdMPg3VvTJyfUoESABOkZB9g-_lgxoC1IPw_wcB" target="_blank"><span style="line-height: 107%;">AVG Free</span></a><span style="line-height: 107%;">, </span><a href="https://www.360totalsecurity.com/en/" target="_blank"><span style="line-height: 107%;">360 Total Security</span></a><span style="line-height: 107%;">. </span><br />
<span style="line-height: 107%;"> If you are looking for
a simple yet strong antivirus, go for </span><a href="https://www.360totalsecurity.com/en/" target="_blank"><span style="line-height: 107%;">360 Total Security</span></a><span style="line-height: 107%;">. This antivirus is one
of my favorites due to its sheer simplicity, but don't let that change your
perspective on how effective it is. 360 Total security is also one of the top
ranked in virus detection of 2016 and has been for many years previously. 360
Total Security comes with an auto detect tool that will let you know if your PC
is not running as it should. It will speedup your computer, remove unused
files, disable any useless programs during the startup of your computer so it
turns on faster, and of course, it will remove those nasty viruses and keep them off. </span><br />
<span style="line-height: 107%;"> If you like to stick with your name brand items, </span><a href="http://www.avg.com/ww-en/free-antivirus-protection?ECID=ad:go:se:US-EN-XSite-Brand-Free-Search&gclid=CjwKEAiA_ra1BRDV-byb_aDqpQoSJAA-ofB9W-mW1rbtIFvtGYdMPg3VvTJyfUoESABOkZB9g-_lgxoC1IPw_wcB" target="_blank"><span style="line-height: 17.12px;">AVG Free</span></a><span style="line-height: 107%;"> Antivirus is another fantastic choice. Its detection rates are also one of the top ranked in 2016 and has been at the top for many years. It comes with a cleanup utility to keep your PC running smooth and it also gives you the option of upgrading to the complete version to access any of the extras that it provides. I do not have much experience with this program, but from the experience that I do have, I can </span><span style="line-height: 17.12px;">definitely say that this is a fantastic free antivirus. The only cons that seemed to have surfaced would be its design. Navigating the program can be a bit confusing to a newcomer, but if your determined, you can always find what you are looking for. </span><span style="line-height: 107%;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Yet another fantastic antivirus is the free program <span style="line-height: 17.12px;"><a href="https://www.avast.com/en-us/index" target="_blank">Avast</a>. If you are looking for an antivirus that you may have seen elsewhere due to its popularity and is also a fantastic antivirus, Avast is a great choice. This is an extremely popular program among PC users. Much like 360 Total Security, this program is very simple and easy to use. The install is quick and seamless, navigation is very simple, and detection rates are up there with the best of them. Avast also gives you the option of upgrading to its premium versions, giving you extras such as a VPN service for 100% private browsing and SafeZone for complete safety from hackers with online banking.</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 17.12px;"> Last, but not least, is </span><a href="http://www.pandasecurity.com/usa/homeusers/solutions/free-antivirus/" style="line-height: 17.12px;" target="_blank">Panda Free Antivirus</a><span style="line-height: 17.12px;">. This antivirus is another fantastic antivirus for virus detection and removal and is at the top of the charts for 2016. There are two cons about this program; limited ability and the annoying programs it attempts to install during its initial install. In order to use most of the extras, you must purchase the pro edition which includes things such as a file shredder, PC tuneup, file encryption and more. During the install, Panda asks you if you would like to install extras such as the yahoo search bar. If you do decide on this program, I highly recommend paying attention when installing otherwise you will accidentally install an unwanted item. Other than that, Panda is a great choice as far as an antivirus goes. The install is simple and seamless along with the whole program design. </span><br />
<span style="line-height: 17.12px;"> Time to choose an antivirus! I shall narrow it down for you all on functionality.</span><br />
<a href="http://www.pandasecurity.com/usa/homeusers/solutions/free-antivirus/" style="line-height: 17.12px;" target="_blank">Panda Free Antivirus</a><span style="line-height: 17.12px;">: Great for the user who likes to do things his own way. Simple, minimal free features, great detection rates.</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 17.12px;"><a href="https://www.avast.com/en-us/index" target="_blank">Avast</a>: Fantastic for the basic PC user. Extremely simple, many free features, fantastic detection rates.</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 17.12px;"><a href="http://www.avg.com/ww-en/free-antivirus-protection?ECID=ad:go:se:US-EN-XSite-Brand-Free-Search&gclid=CjwKEAiA_ra1BRDV-byb_aDqpQoSJAA-ofB9W-mW1rbtIFvtGYdMPg3VvTJyfUoESABOkZB9g-_lgxoC1IPw_wcB" target="_blank">AVG Free</a> Antivirus: A great antivirus for the user who likes to follow the name brand. Top of the line detection, many free features, fantastic detection rates.</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 17.12px;"><a href="https://www.360totalsecurity.com/en/" target="_blank">360 Total Security</a>: In my opinion, this antivirus is the best one out there as far as free goes. This one is extremely simple, flawless design, tremendous amount of free features, and top of the line detection rates. </span><br />
<span style="line-height: 17.12px;"> Once you choose your program, use the links provided in the names to download them, or go to their main site. Follow all of the instructions that the antivirus provides and you will have no problem removing those pesky viruses and keeping them off!</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03870627626475592479noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6736222940565639662.post-83557114168279866432016-01-31T13:23:00.001-08:002016-02-01T12:12:20.891-08:00How To Make Your Old Computer Fast AgainAnyone with a computer always has a problem with their PC slowing down over time.. In this blog, I will be talking about what it takes to speed up your PC. So let's start!<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Why Does a Computer Slow Down?</b></div>
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
When you first purchase/receive a new computer, it is running at its optimal speed. However, that PC doesn't stay that fast for too long, but why? Two things, physical or software problems. Meaning, your computer could be slowing down due to a build up of dust on your vents or it could be a problem in the software such as a virus or a build up of junk files that your computer stores over time, but doesn't always delete automatically. There are other reasons that it could be becoming slow, but we will be talking about the most common reasons today. Either way, you will almost always be able to speed it up and very easily.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b> Cleaning Up The Software</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
The software is the part of the computer that can almost always be repaired without needing to wipe your computer and start clean. If you are running on a Windows operating system, it will be much easier for you to do this. Windows provides pre-installed programs on all of their machines to assist in this process, Disk Cleanup and Disk Defragmenter being two of the most popular. The disk cleanup cleans out all of your old, unused, built-up files that your operating system is no longer using. I highly recommended starting with the disk cleanup first, you will understand why soon.<br />
So go to your Windows button and search for disk cleanup on your PC. As it opens, it will search for all files that can be cleaned out from your computer to make space for other stuff. After the loading bar is finished, under the "Files to Delete", check off all of the boxes in the list. You won't need to worry about losing any important info in this section. After you have checked them, click on "Clean up system files". In this section, go ahead and check off all of the boxes again, except for one box, "Previous Windows Installations". Leave this one alone. Your previous windows installations are any old operating system backups on your PC. If you know FOR SURE that you will not be reverting back to an older operating system, then go ahead and remove it. (Hint: this is not your current windows backup. It is a copy of your previous operating system if you upgraded for example from Windows 7 to Windows 10) To remove your selected files, just click OK at the bottom left. You're all done with Disk Cleanup.<br />
Now go to the Windows search and find Disk Deframenter. This program doesn't delete any files, but rather moves them around. It rearranges the files in a way that allows Windows to access them quicker and easier, so for example, it might move around a file from a program, so now that program will start quicker or run a little smoother.(It does not move any personal files so you do not need to worry about not being able to find your files after) If you are unsure of what the deframenter looks like, take a look at the picture of the colorful blocks below. That is the icon that you will see when you search for it. When you have opened it, hold Ctrl on your keyboard while selecting each drive that is listed in the panel. Just hold down the key and click on each one listed. You should see all of them highlighted. Go ahead and click on optimize drives and it will do it's thing.<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a5Qdk9NdzY0/Vq5mdfEgjNI/AAAAAAAAfHU/IoytVR2dFEE/s1600/defrag-icon.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a5Qdk9NdzY0/Vq5mdfEgjNI/AAAAAAAAfHU/IoytVR2dFEE/s200/defrag-icon.png" width="200" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wLS9qCTKdNw/Vq5mFBsY1mI/AAAAAAAAfHM/igCQEZ2GVhM/s1600/Disk-cleanup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="111" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wLS9qCTKdNw/Vq5mFBsY1mI/AAAAAAAAfHM/igCQEZ2GVhM/s200/Disk-cleanup.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
You have successfully cleaned out your operating system! Doing this allows your computer to use its storage, memory, and central processor to it's highest potential. Your computer will be running noticeably quicker now, but is there more you can do speedup/maintain your computer? Of course! Let's remove all of that wonderful dust that has built up over time and could be clogging up an important part to your computer! Let's go!<br />
<br />
<b>Cleaning Out The Dust</b><br />
<br />
Before you start, remember to completely shutdown your computer. If you have a laptop, shut down your computer and remove the battery from the rear and if you have a desktop, remove all of the cables from the back of the computer. If you are uncomfortable doing this as you may not remember where each goes, just pull out the power cable from the back to prevent it from turning on during the cleaning. The power cable is usually the thickest cable and it is always plugged into a port that appears distant from the rest. You may also see a fan or a switch next to it. This is all part of the power supply to the whole computer, so if you see those, you are in the right place. After you have done so, look at your manual to determine how your computer opens up. If you do not have it, don't worry. Almost every computer opens up the same. If you have a newer desktop computer, one of the side panels will come off, usually held on by one or two screws. If it is older, there may a little trick to opening them up, possibly a release button. If you have a laptop, it will most likely open from the underside. So go ahead and flip it over. You will likely see a bunch of screws holding down one large panel, possibly multiple separate panels. Go ahead and remove the panel(s) Now that you have opened up your PC, you can see if your computer has a large dust buildup. The best way to remove the dust is by using a high powered vacuum. Go ahead and remove as much as you possibly can from the vents, fans, PC components, motherboard, etc. (Be aware that if you have any loose parts inside your computer, you risk vacuuming them up. So please, tip you computer a little bit and listen for any loose parts. There should not be anything that is loose, but if there happens to be a stray cable that is not connected to anything on either ends, go ahead and take it out before you start) If you have trouble removing some dust, try reversing the vacuum and attempt to blow it out instead. (Do not blow into any external ports on your computer. This may cause the dust to stick deeper inside, causing connection issues for any future devices you may plug into it) It may also be wise to do this outside as it might fill the air with dust. After you have done all of this, you're done! Your computer will most likely be noticeably quieter and faster.<br />
<br />
<br />
You have successfully maintained your PC! It should be running like a charm now. But what if you have a virus? Could it be slowing down your computer? Check out my next blog to read all about how to remove it and prevent them in the future.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03870627626475592479noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6736222940565639662.post-88464651920803382332016-01-22T07:32:00.001-08:002016-02-29T11:27:59.239-08:00Greetings/QuestionsDesktops, laptops, 2 in 1 PCs, tablets, Macbooks, etc. These are all types of computers that are out in this world and many more. Computers have become so integrated into our society that it is impossible to avoid them nowadays. Because of this, you end up learning things about computers whether you meant to or not. Maybe from hearing a television ad talking about a new type of computer that was released or by hearing it from a friend. Like it or not, computers are a part of our culture now and it is becoming more and more important to know how to use them. That is why I have decided to share my knowledge on computers with anyone who needs to know anything and I will do my best to help you out. Please feel free to post any questions you have on my blog and hopefully I can assist with your problem/question. Also, if you would be so kind as to help kick start my blog and participating in my poll, that would be fantastic. The poll only includes some common want-to-knows and you are not limited to those, so please, ask anything. Thanks guys.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03870627626475592479noreply@blogger.com2